Cepaea nemoralis ( commonly known as grove snail or brown lipped snail) were investigated in order to understand the reasons for polymorphism in this species.
There are phenotypic variances in this species are simple and easily observable, such as shell colour differences (red, brown, yellow or white) and whether or not bands are present on the shell, such variances make it possible to investigate the possible causes; such as gene flow, genetic drift or selection. Other attributes of C. nemoralis facilitate the investigation (as opposed to a study on humans for example) : Their movement is slow (moving only about 20m in a lifetime), so only a relatively small area needs to be observed in order to identify causes for morphology. Their small size works in favour of the investigation, as close examination is made possible (however, there is a possibility of not noticing or crushing the snails), their lifestyle is very simple (in comparison to humans for example). Such attributes make the investigation feasible; not too time consuming and physically possible.
This investigation seeks to prove or disprove the null hypothesis: There is no difference in the unobserved population frequencies of the polymorphism of C. nemoralis and any differences are caused by sampling error.
Horizontal line transects at varying altitudes were constructed; thus controlling altitude as a variable. The samples were taken from the shrub habitat and the grassland habitat, the distance between each sample from the shrub to grassland was 20 meters, to ensure that the populations were independent. Three samples were taken from the shrub habitat and three from the grassland habitat. Before data was collected, a uniform way of distinguishing and categorise the C. nemoralis in terms of colours and banding was established.
Aneesa Habaik
Azka Malik*
Mahvish Aftab
Saira Sarwar
Sherin Shaji
Cepaea nemoralis ( commonly known as grove snail or brown lipped snail) were investigated in order to understand the reasons for polymorphism in this species.
There are phenotypic variances in this species are simple and easily observable, such as shell colour differences (red, brown, yellow or white) and whether or not bands are present on the shell, such variances make it possible to investigate the possible causes; such as gene flow, genetic drift or selection. Other attributes of C. nemoralis facilitate the investigation (as opposed to a study on humans for example) : Their movement is slow (moving only about 20m in a lifetime), so only a relatively small area needs to be observed in order to identify causes for morphology. Their small size works in favour of the investigation, as close examination is made possible (however, there is a possibility of not noticing or crushing the snails), their lifestyle is very simple (in comparison to humans for example). Such attributes make the investigation feasible; not too time consuming and physically possible.
This investigation seeks to prove or disprove the null hypothesis: There is no difference in the unobserved population frequencies of the polymorphism of C. nemoralis and any differences are caused by sampling error.
Horizontal line transects at varying altitudes were constructed; thus controlling altitude as a variable. The samples were taken from the shrub habitat and the grassland habitat, the distance between each sample from the shrub to grassland was 20 meters, to ensure that the populations were independent. Three samples were taken from the shrub habitat and three from the grassland habitat. Before data was collected, a uniform way of distinguishing and categorise the C. nemoralis in terms of colours and banding was established.
Still being worked on ...